Friday, December 18, 2009

At dusk. On the field.

I do practical and pragmatic things - I tip the hens' old water down a rat hole (remembering too late and with a gulp that those pesky rats might have feelings too). I shoo those birds inclined to spend the night in the comfy nest box up onto their perches. I slide doors, drop pop-holes and flick the switch of the electric fence to 'on'. I hope to keep any sharp-toothed and clawed predator away tonight at least, as always.

Hens in, job done, I stand a while and rub my hands to restore a little feeling - perhaps to remind myself that they are still there. How cold it is tonight. How good to feel the ground hard underfoot. The temperature has not risen above zero today.

In the west, low on the horizon - and so slim that it could easily be missed - is a crescent moon. It hangs sketchily - as if some calligraphic hand had flicked it in with a confident stroke of the pen; silver on a ground of deepest blue. Pretty little cushions of pink clouds organise themselves - but not for snow I think, even on this cold night. Just for delight.

13 comments:

Pam said...

Sounds lovely, even if it is cold. We might get snow tonight and my son is beside himself with excitement that we could sled tomorrow. There's always a silver lining.

rachel said...

'Proper' hard, frosty cold can feel good, providing you're dressed for it, and much nicer than those damp, dank, chill-to-the-bones days that we get so often. And the skies can be breathtakingly clear, even here in the city.

Julia said...

That's just a beautiful picture. I'm there.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Wonder if we and you will have snow tonight? We have lost our starry sky and slender moon so the cloud must be gathering.

Cait O'Connor said...

Beautiful writing, I can see what you describe.

Pondside said...

Poetry - beautiful images of your evening routine and your view.

her at home said...

beautifully evocative

Maggie Christie said...

Beautiful. I saw that moon too when I was walking the dog.

bodran... said...

That was lovely xx

Chris Stovell said...

Such a beautiful post... except, possibly, the thought of rats. Very evocative.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Lovely !
And as for the rats ? They'd probably do the same to you , without a thought !

Tattieweasle said...

Rats I feel are the exception to the rule! Wonderful post!

Bluestocking Mum said...

What a lovely evocative blog.

I can see the snow over on your hills!

I just wanted to wisdh you and yours a very Happy christmas and hope to meet up in 2010

Love
D
xx